Firefighters contain spill in Kawerau

Photo / APN

Firefighters have contained a chemical spill at a paper mill in Kawerau.

Eight fire appliances from Kawerau, Edgecumbe and Greerton in Tauranga were called to the Norske Skog paper mill at about 6.45pm after black liquor - a by-product of converting pulpwood into paper pulp - escaped from a valve.

The firefighters, who had to use specialised chemical suits, contained the spill by about 10pm, Fire Service spokesman Colin Underdown said.

- NZPA